Musical ‘Wizard’ works his magic at Frankston Arts Centre exhibition
Published on 17 June 2021
As a boy, there was no keeping Andrew Farrell away from the pianola in the family house.
Gifted via his grandparents, Farrell spent hours at the pianola, recalling: “I was fascinated by the sound and the peddles – just how it all came together.”
Mr Farrell, who started performing at Frankston venues in his teens and went on to study classical piano, never looked back.
An icon of local music scene, a striking image of him taken at a performance for the Frankston Music Festival is now on display as part of the ‘Life is Music’ exhibition at Frankston Arts Centre. Due to the temporary closure of the Centre due to Coronavirus lockdown restrictions, the exhibition was moved online.
Mr Farrell fondly recalls performing in his early days at the Pier Hotel’s ‘Monday Muso Nights’. He went on to perform at other venues across the region before touring nationally and internationally.
“I love performing for people and meeting new people. I’m excited every time I’m off to a gig. I can’t wait to get to the next gig.”
Dubbed ‘The Wizard’ because of his remarkable talent, Mr Farrell describes performing as an “unconscious thing”, adding: “You let your hands go (on the piano). I am singing as well and it all comes out.”
The ‘Life is Music’ exhibition features images of performers taken from 2017 to 2019 at Frankston Music Festival events.
Festival past director Robert Thurley said the exhibition captures fantastic moments and iconic performers over three years.
“There are some iconic pictures and they draw the energy that was on display. There were memorable performances. We can enjoy the great moments of the festival in these photographs,” Mr Thurley said.
North East Ward Cr Suzette Tayler urged people to check out the exhibition as well as the many other shows and events offered by the Frankston Arts Centre.
“Council proudly supports the arts and that’s why we provided funding for the Frankston Music Festival via the Major Local Community Events Grant. While the 2020 event was cancelled due to the pandemic, previous events saw the festival partner with many venues and showcase artists from across Frankston City.
“Our support also includes the comprehensive ‘This Time, Last Year’ – a multidisciplinary art exhibition, time capsule, celebration and memorial all rolled into one,” Cr Tayler said.
Supported by Frankston Council as part of its $9.128 million Relief and Recovery Package to help the community recover from the impacts of the Coronavirus pandemic, ‘This Time, Last Year’ enables patrons to take a step back to this time, last year and explore the inspired vision of our community.
View ‘Life is Music’ online at https://youtu.be/Q9TW5TZ6Ozs